Yearly Archives: 2011

WAS MARY MARRIED WHEN JESUS WAS BORN?

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WAS MARY MARRIED WHEN JESUS WAS BORN? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Sunday, December 25, 2011 at 3:11pm QUESTION: Luke 2:5 says that when Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem where Jesus was born, Mary was only “engaged” or “betrothed” to Joseph. Does this mean Jesus was born to an unwed mother? ANSWER: Some think we cannot really answer this question for sure, but there are considerations that lead us to conclude that Mary and Joseph were indeed married when Jesus was born. One problem is the meaning of the Greek word (verb) used in this verse, i.e., mnēsteuō, which … Continue reading →

Acts 13:48 and Calvinism

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Acts 13:48 and Calvinism by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, December 23, 2011 at 3:56pm QUESTION: Can you explain the meaning of Acts 13:48? It sounds very much like Calvinism to me. ANSWER: This text summarizes the response of the Gentiles to the powerful preaching of the Apostle Paul at Antioch of Pisidia: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (ESV). As usually translated, it is very true that this passage supports the key Calvinist doctrine of unconditional predestination (the “U” … Continue reading →

QUESTIONS ON MY NOTE ABOUT THE “UNBIBLICALLY BAPTIZED”

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QUESTIONS ON MY NOTE ABOUT THE “UNBIBLICALLY BAPTIZED” by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 2:56pm QUESTION: I read your note on the spiritual status of the unbiblically baptized, and it raised some serious questions in my mind. First, you say it is “possible that in some cases God has made exceptions and has acted outside his stated plan” regarding the role of immersion in salvation. If that is true, why is there absolutely no example or even hint of God making such an exception? Do we have a right to give a hint of hope where … Continue reading →

THE NATURE OF THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE

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THE NATURE OF THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 3:37pm QUESTION: What is the conscience, and how does it work? ANSWER: I have written on this in my commentary on Romans, as part of my comments on Romans 2:15, where Paul says that even pagans “show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them” (ESV). The following paragraphs are taken from this commentary (1996 ed., I:203-205). The latter part of Romans 2:15 focuses on an … Continue reading →

“CONSCIENTIOUS RESPONSE TO AVAILABLE LIGHT”

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“CONSCIENTIOUS RESPONSE TO AVAILABLE LIGHT” by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 12:03pm QUESTION: You make a big deal of the principle of “conscientious response to available light,” especially in explaining how you think God will judge those who are not Biblically baptized. I don’t see this phrase used anywhere in the Bible, and I don’t see how it can be derived from Romans 4:15. Doesn’t the Bible say that we will be judged by the standard of the words of Jesus (John 12:48)? Wouldn’t this principle excuse every believer whose thinking is wrong on any issue … Continue reading →

BAPTISM AND 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17

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BAPTISM AND 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:55am QUESTION: How do you interpret 1 Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (ESV)? ANSWER: It is very common for this passage to be interpreted as implying that baptism is not important, and that Paul considered it to be almost irrelevant. As thus interpreted, this text is thrown in the face of those who believe that baptism is a … Continue reading →

WHEN WERE THE APOSTLES BAPTIZED?

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WHEN WERE THE APOSTLES BAPTIZED? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 9:47am QUESTION: Do we know when the apostles received the baptism in which the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit is given? I assume they received John’s baptism. Do we assume that at some point they were rebaptized? Does their ability to speak in tongues (languages) in Acts 2:1ff. show that they had the indwelling of the Spirit at that point? How does John 20:22 fit in? ANSWER: Since we are not specifically told when (or even if) the apostles were baptized with Christian baptism, … Continue reading →

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF THOSE BAPTIZED UNBIBLICALLY?

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WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF THOSE BAPTIZED UNBIBLICALLY? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 1:15pm QUESTION: What is the spiritual status of the millions of people who have mistakenly followed the false views of baptism, whether in regard to meaning, subjects, or mode? E.g., here is a person who was sprinkled as a baby as a mark of membership in a local church, based solely on the fact that he was born to parents who were already members of that church. That person is now an adult and is actively involved in church activities and … Continue reading →

IS THE “BAPTISM OF DESIRE” SUFFICIENT?

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IS THE “BAPTISM OF DESIRE” SUFFICIENT? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 9:36am QUESTION: I know of a severely-handicapped person who had a sincere desire to be baptized in the Biblical way, but because of the disability simply could not be immersed. It was decided to put this person under the shower and cover him with water in such a way that he was extremely wet from head-to-toe and had to hold his breath for a time while the water was showered over his face. Those conducting this “baptism” emphasized the importance of the person’s commitment … Continue reading →

THE MEANING OF FOOTWASHING IN JOHN 13:1-17

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THE MEANING OF FOOTWASHING IN JOHN 13:1-17 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 4:27pm QUESTION: When Jesus washes the apostles’ feet in John 13:1ff., is this just a lesson in humility, or does it have some spiritual significance beyond that? E.g., does the footwashing as Jesus performs it stand for personal cleansing from sin? Is it a figure for baptism? Does the act itself represent Jesus’ service of dying on the cross for the sins of the world? ANSWER: My initial reaction to this question is that this episode is just a lesson in humility, and … Continue reading →